Ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Moves SC Over Delay In HC Order On His Plea Challenging ED Arrest

Appearing for Soren, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said that the Jharkhand High Court has reserved its verdict on February 28 but no decision has been delivered yet.

Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested by ED on January 31 in a money laundering case

Source : PTI File Photo

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday over the complaint that the state High Court is delaying in deciding on his petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. Soren was arrested by the federal agency on January 31 in a money laundering case as the ED claimed it recovered cash worth more than Rs 36 lakhs and documents about the illegal possession and occupation of at least 12 land parcels by him in its searches. 

Appearing for the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader, senior advocate Kapil Sibal sought an urgent hearing from a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, adding that the High Court had reserved its verdict on February 28 on his plea but still no decision has been delivered.

The apex court said it will look into the matter. 

Soren's arrest came after he resigned as Jharkhand chief minister, and party loyalist and state transport minister Champai Soren was named as his successor.  

He was arrested by the ED after seven hours of questioning by the agency in connection with the case. 

Earlier this month, Soren withdrew a plea before the Supreme Court against the Jharkhand High Court order not letting him attend the now-concluded budget of the State assembly.

On February 28, the High Court refused to allow the former Jharkhand CM to attend the Budget session on March 1. 

Appearing for Soren, Sibal had primarily argued that he was not chargesheeted in the case and has been the CM of the state, and nothing stops the High Court from allowing him to go and participate in the Budget session of the State Assembly. 

The enforcement agency has claimed that it has found that the JMM head was knowingly involved in processes and activities connected with the acquisition, concealment, possession, and use of proceeds of crime and projecting the said proceeds of crime as untainted property.